Why I Created A Safe Seat at the Table

Why I Created A Safe Seat at the Table

For a long time, eating stopped feeling simple for me.

What used to be joyful became stressful, isolating, and honestly… lonely. I know what it feels like to sit at a table wondering if the food is safe. I know the exhaustion of reading every ingredient twice, asking uncomfortable questions, feeling embarrassed, or being treated like you’re “too much.”

I know what it feels like to survive on fear instead of enjoying the moment.

There were times I avoided restaurants completely. Times I sat quietly while everyone else enjoyed dinner, pretending I was okay when inside I felt left out and emotionally exhausted. And I realized something heartbreaking — food is deeply connected to belonging.

When you can’t safely participate, it affects more than your body. It affects your spirit too.

That’s why I created A Safe Seat at the Table.

Not just as a retreat… but as a space where women can finally exhale. A place where no one has to explain themselves before sitting down to eat. A place where safe dining is already understood, where meals are intentionally prepared with care, and where connection matters just as much as the food itself.

This retreat was built from my own journey through illness, healing, grief, advocacy, and ultimately hope. It’s why I began working with chefs, hospitality teams, and the tourism industry to raise awareness about what safe dining truly means.

I wanted to create more than a vacation.

I wanted to create the feeling of relief.

The feeling of belonging. The feeling of being understood without explanation.

This weekend is about ocean air, meaningful conversation, sunsets, healing, laughter, safe meals, and the reminder that we were never meant to walk through hard things alone.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you for helping build this Founding Circle with me.

You belong here. 🤍